Starting immediately, the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte will accept applications for emergency funds earmarked to combat the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The swift response is the result of a vote Wednesday, March 25, 2020 by the HFL board of directors. Members OK’d the “HFL COVID-19 Emergency Grants Plan,” which will award emergency funds to qualifying organizations that are working to meet the needs of La Porte County communities during this pandemic.

The plan has two phases, the first of which will address immediate needs and will run from today through May 30, 2020; the second phase will address long-term effects, including recovery-efforts funding.

Generally, organizations will be able to request between $1,000 and $50,000. A decision on each application will be decided within 48 hours and, if approved, funds will be sent electronically.

HFL Board Chair Jeffrey Bernel said the board’s swift action is in line with HFL’s mission.

“We exist to empower residents to live healthy in and around La Porte. Our mission dictates that we address the COVID-19 health crisis at a local level, and we are pleased to have been able to put this plan in place so quickly,” he said.

Maria Fruth, president and CEO of HFL, said the HFL COVID-19 Emergency Grants Plan takes a multi-faceted approach as the impact of the pandemic continues to unfold.

“This plan is designed to be flexible and easy for qualifying organizations to access funding as needs are identified,” she said. “We must be able to respond quickly as our needs as a community change.”

Phase 1

This phase addresses immediate needs. It runs from March 25, 2020 to May 30, 2020, but Fruth anticipates that it can be flexible, based on the progression of the crisis and government orders.

In Phase 1, the HFL will prioritize the following services related to the increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak:

Food needs for La Porte County residents with food insecurity

The elderly and other high-risk populations

Supplies to support emergency response

Healthcare and emergency response workers in need of protective gear and equipment

Unrestricted funds to not-for-profits for business continuity

If organizations have a different need not listed above, they may email mfruth@hflaporte.org. Organizations should go to the HFL Grant Portal to complete their applications. Visit www.hflaporte.org for a link to information and the application. The deadline will be rolling (applications will be considered any time from now until May 30, 2020, and that deadline also may be extended).

Decisions regarding applications will occur within 48 hours. Funds will be sent electronically to grantee.

Applying organizations should be prepared to provide basic information about their organization, and information about their COVID-19 response needs and plans for the funds. Details are in the application itself.

Phase 2

This phase is designed to address some of the long-term affects the community will face and will include recovery efforts funding. This phase will be shared upon board approval and communicated to the community, as soon as the immediate crisis is over and long-term needs are identified, Fruth explained.

The HFL invites the entire community to visit its web site and check the COVID-19 Resource Hub – an online resource that serves as a clearinghouse for community needs and ways to help.

Fruth urged the community to engage with the resource hub. Able to help? Consider a donation to two county relief funds that are listed in the Local Community Needs section of the Hub: The United Way of La Porte County COVID-19 Relief Fund, and the Unity Foundation La Porte County Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.